How to Become a Digital Nomad in 6 Steps

A digital is someone who is independent of where they are and who can work anywhere in the world.

Instead of working from a fixed location, you could work from a coworking space, on a fallen tree trunk in the jungle, or wherever your imagination might wander.

However, as a digital nomad, you become dependent on yourself, your laptop, cellular data or other internet connection, and the tools you use daily. Here's how to become a digital nomad

1. Save money

If you haven't made the switch yet, read this step before you do anything.

You need an emergency fund, whether you're location dependent, working online from another country with a low cost of living, or working remotely in your home country. 'origin.

Emergency savings are vital because who knows when your employer might go bankrupt. Or you might experience discomfort that prevents you from working. Either way, a safety net will get you through the storm quite comfortably.

First, you'll want to make sure this fund is easily accessible while also being able to draw in some passive income while it's dormant.

Here are some steps you can take to build your emergency fund:

• List all of your monthly expenses.
• Figure out what you could sacrifice if you lost your job or became disabled.
• If you have money you can set aside initially, do so.
• Calculate how much you can set aside for your emergency fund each month.
• As you calculate all of this, note the situations that would warrant emptying the emergency fund.

If possible, save at least six months of expenses to bolster your emergency fund. Otherwise, save what you can. Conversely, if you are planning to move abroad, saving a lot is vital.

Do not withdraw money from this fund, except in case of unforeseen, emergency or necessity.

If you want to know the cost of living by country of destination, we advise you to go to the Delocaliz platform. You will find all the necessary information before leaving.

2. Identify your skills

With remote work becoming increasingly popular, like many other fields, it is slowly becoming saturated.

However, a saturated market should not prevent you from developing a skill.

As the number of work-from-home applicants grows, so does the number of businesses opening up or businesses that will need labor.

Here are some skills you will need as a digital nomad:

• Intercultural knowledge. Since you might be working with colleagues from other countries, it would be helpful to understand their cultures so that you and they can communicate better.
• Excellent time management skills. Without direction to oversee your work day, you will have to make sure you can complete your tasks on time.
• You will need to have excellent written and verbal communication skills to update your colleagues and superiors on what is happening.
• While self-discipline and motivation aren't necessarily skills, you might consider them a skill given how much of it you'll need to work from home. If you can't resist temptations, you won't be able to hold on through your work day.

3. Join a community of digital nomads

Unless you already have lots of friends, the best advice you can take from this guide is to network with other people, whether in your country or abroad.

One way or another, you should not approach a lifestyle independent of where you are on your own. Although you can communicate with your co-workers, it would be more beneficial for you to find people outside of work to network with.

Here are some great communities for digital nomads:

• /r/digitalnomad: A subreddit with over a million Redditors who are location-independent and can offer their insights.
• You have to pay $99 to use it, but NomadList has a massive community and provides details about various countries and how they suit expats and nomads.
• Find jobs and meet new people using Nomads Talk's free Slack channel.
• Outsite offers coworking and living spaces in various locations around the world at a reasonable price, unlike other hosting options.
• Search channels Telegram locals, Facebook groups or Meetup groups with like-minded people.

4. Find out how other digital nomads communicate

To communicate with your co-workers, clients, or anyone in your social circle, you will need to be familiar with many platforms because not everyone uses the same websites.

Here are some communication tools for digital nomads:

• Discord
• Asana
• Trello task management
• Zoom
• Skype or Whatsapp
• Text-to-speech over Internet Protocol (VoIP) if you are abroad
• Slack
• Email address
• WhatsApp

5. Decide how you will make money

Do you want to act like a digital nomad working for long-term employers?

Maybe freelancing is more up your alley – you prefer working for multiple clients who pay varying salaries and don't offer benefits.

Or, you could create your own benefits and jobs for other digital nomads by becoming an online business owner.

Whichever path you choose, you'll need to choose at least one to make money – unless you're rich and reading this guide for fun.

Do digital nomads pay taxes?

Of course, digital nomads pay taxes.

If you are an expat working from another country with an open work permit, you will need to pay taxes for the country you are in.

The tax forms you use depend on what your employer provides. But if you start freelancing and you are in the United States, you will have to pay quarterly (estimated) taxes.

To calculate the estimated taxes owed to you, use Form 1040-ES. Then, you will need to submit a payment before the term's due date. Fortunately, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) makes this process relatively easy. You can use services such as the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS).

How are digital nomads paid?

Getting paid as a digital nomad depends on the agreements you have with your employer or clients.

If you get paid in cryptocurrency, be sure to use a website like Coinbase or any other cryptocurrency wallet. Otherwise, most employers or clients will pay you VIA PayPal, Wise or direct deposit.

At this point, you need to make sure you have one of these accounts and an online banking account that doesn't require a physical presence.

6. Create an emergency plan

Anything can happen when you are abroad.

Also, some unfortunate scenarios could happen with the visa that requires you to fly home. The government could deport you. Or the country could descend into chaos.

If any of the above occurs, make sure you are prepared for such scenarios.

Here are some steps you should take to create an emergency plan as an expat:

• Keep up to date with the cost of airfare between the country you are in and your home country; then add these funds to your emergency budget.
• Determine where you could stay in your home country, as well as the means of transport and your income.
• Prepare a bug-out-bag if you find yourself in a country at risk of conflict – this way you will be prepared to evacuate.

What are the resources for digital nomads?

Is being a digital nomad legal?

Working as a digital nomad is legal if you are working from your home country or have an open work permit in the country you are visiting.

If you are a digital nomad or an expat who entered a country without having an open work permit, but you work for a distant employer, it is illegal. An open work permit allows you to work for the employer of your choice – you are not tied to a specific employer.

While some countries offer visas for freelancers or digital nomads, not all do.

Also, be sure to research what programs the country you want to work in offers to give you open work permits to become a digital nomad.

With everyone working remotely these days, it seems like being a digital nomad has become more and more commonplace. It's unclear if this trend will continue, but one thing is certain: if you're looking for something new in life, becoming a digital nomad might be right up your alley!